Other · Ofsted report

London College of Apprenticeship Training

Inspected — · URN 1274676

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Gayle Saundry

What we read, and from where

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Inspectorssingle source
Gayle Saundry
Postcode verified
W2 5ES
Name on report verified
The Apprenticeship College Ltd
URN verified
1274676

Page 1 of 5

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Tone of the report

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0Mixedmore positive than 24% of reports of this type

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Praiseindependent

Criticismbelow

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FindingsAbout the inspection positive critical

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No standout praise found.

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No strong criticism found.

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Anatomy of the report

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Pages: 5
Words of findings: 138; shorter than usual (typical 1049)
Reading level: Hard; Flesch 41, typical 45
Average sentence: 17 words
Next steps: 0; typical 5
Hedged sentences: 0%; “some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 11%About the inspection 89%

Full report text

The Apprenticeship College Ltd Interim visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Gayle Saundry, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 258 Harrow Road London W2 5ES Interim visit: The Apprenticeship College Ltd, 10 to 11 December 2020

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Context and focus of visit

On 17 March 2020, all routine inspections were suspended due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As part of our phased return to routine inspections, we are carrying out ‘ interim visits ’ to further education and skills providers. Interim visits are to help apprentices, parents, employers and government understand how providers are meeting the needs of apprentices in this period, including those with high needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below and the findings are based on discussions with leaders, managers, staff and apprentices.

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Information about the provider

The Apprenticeship College Limited (the college), previously known as the London College of Apprenticeship Training, is an apprenticeship provider based in Paddington, central London. The Apprenticeship College began teaching apprenticeships in May 2017. It teaches apprentices nationally, with the highest numbers being in London and the East Midlands.

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Information about the provider

At the time of the visit, the college had 541 apprentices studying a range of standards between levels 2 and 5. The majority of apprentices are on the level 3 team leader/supervisor standard and the level 5 operations departmental manager standard. The college works with subcontractor Maguire Business Solutions who teach some of the provider’s apprenticeship training components.

p.2

stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

In advance of the national restrictions in March 2020, leaders made a substantial financial investment into redesigning their curriculum, ready to be taught online. Their preparations allowed them to begin teaching lessons online as soon as was necessary. Leaders feel that their online teaching is of high quality, and they intend to continue to include at least some online teaching in their programmes in the future.

p.2

stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders have altered the range of subjects they offer this year in light of feedback from employers and their analysis of the current labour market. In particular, they have noted an increase in demand for supply chain expertise due to the change in peoples’ shopping habits during the pandemic. To meet this need, leaders have introduced a level 3 supply chain practitioner standard, working with their stakeholders to design a curriculum that meets the current needs of employers. Their new programme has helped to increase the number of new apprentices enrolling Interim visit: The Apprenticeship College Ltd, 10 to 11 December 2020 with the college after leaders saw a fall in enrolments, and therefore funding, during the pandemic. Leaders next intend to introduce a level 5 coaching standard to broaden the number of future pathways on offer to their level 3 apprentices.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders report that the opportunity to study from home and the flexibility of attending lessons at different times has led to an increase in attendance of their apprentices. However, a small proportion of their apprentices have lost their jobs this year and have disengaged from their learning.

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stakeholders and adapts to changed circumstances?

Leaders recognised the importance of caring for their staff during what has been a difficult year. They had informal conversations daily with staff to pick up any issues that they could resolve. They held staff social events, such as online scavenger hunts, to encourage their team to remain positive and connected.

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the reasonable needs of apprentices?

In March 2020, leaders introduced a new approach to teaching while moving their lessons online. Trainers previously taught lessons over three hours, followed by independent work for apprentices to complete. However, in June, following feedback from apprentices, trainers and employers, leaders amended their approach. They now teach six-hour online workshops and set apprentices fewer independent written tasks.

p.3

the reasonable needs of apprentices?

Trainers have changed the order and way in which they teach and assess some elements of their course. Where apprentices have been furloughed and have additional time to spend on their learning, trainers have increased their teaching of knowledge-based topics. They have also sought witness testimonies of apprentices’ work from employers where they have been unable to observe apprentices in the workplace.

p.3

the reasonable needs of apprentices?

Leaders have met frequently since moving online, to review the quality of their training and identify areas of potential improvement to their work. Leaders found that apprentices were struggling with their online mathematics examinations as they were unable to practise using the software required in advance of their assessments. Leaders changed to a different examination body who were able to offer apprentices access to their software in advance.

p.3

the reasonable needs of apprentices?

Trainers report that they use a variety of teaching techniques to make their online lessons interesting and engaging, for instance using quizzes and polls to assess apprentices’ knowledge. Leaders and trainers have worked together to bring the ‘theatre performance’ elements of their teaching online. Through video conferencing, professional actors perform scripted scenes set in the context of the apprentices’ workplace, for example performing a scene in which a bus driver has to tackle discrimination at work. Interim visit: The Apprenticeship College Ltd, 10 to 11 December 2020 Trainers and skills coaches work together to identify any apprentices who are at risk of falling behind, and update employers once per month so that they can offer additional support to their employees. Where necessary, trainers hold additional group and individual sessions online to help apprentices catch up.

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